Villagers protest river pollution

Villagers protest river pollution

SEMARANG: About 150 residents of Dekoro village in the Central
Java regency of Pekalongan thronged the local legislature on
Thursday, protesting water pollution reportedly caused by garment
factories located near their housing complex.

"Thousands of people are suffering from various diseases such
as skin rashes and diarrhea, and many fish have died. Worst of
all, we lack clean water," spokesman for the residents, Samsul
P.D., said.

He named three companies -- PT Kesmatex, PT Ezritex and PT
Bintang Tri Putratex -- as the source of the pollution, claiming
they had poor water treatment systems.

The group demanded that legislators push the local government
to take measures against the textile companies.

"We demand compensation for all the losses we have suffered
from the industry," Samsul said. (har/edt)